Tara — also known as Laxmi and Nakkati.

Tara is remembered as one of the most remarkable tigresses ever seen in the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. Revered as queen mother, her lineage continues to influence tiger populations across parts of Tadoba even today. Because so many well-known tigers trace their ancestry back to her, she is often affectionately referred to as the “Mother of Tadoba.” Her descendants spread across regions such as Moharli, Panderpauni, Kolara, Navegaon, Jamni, and adjoining buffer zones.

Tara was also called Laxmi and Nakkati (because of a scar near her nose) by forest guides, naturalists, and wildlife photographers.

She held control over the Moharli range during one of Tadoba’s most memorable wildlife tourism periods. Tara was most famously associated with the legendary male tiger Yeda Anna. As mates they produced one of the most influential bloodlines in Tadoba’s history and shaped the tiger dynamics for years to come.

A simple version of her lineage looks like this:

Tara’s third litter became iconic among safari enthusiasts and photographers. The cubs were frequently sighted and displayed playful behaviour, helping boost Tadoba’s popularity during the late 2000s and early 2010s. This litter earned the nickname Circuit Gang, named after Circuit, the most daring and charismatic cub.

• ✦Circuit became famous for his fearless personality but died as a sub-adult following an unfortunate accident outside the core zone.
• ✦Ookhan eventually dispersed toward the Nagbhir / Ghodazari landscape.
• ✦Imli faded from regular sightings relatively early.
• ✦Choti Tara emerged as the most influential sibling, later becoming one of Tadoba’s finest and boldest tigresses.

One of the most dramatic chapters in Tara’s life involved her daughter Madhuri. As Madhuri matured, she challenged Tara for territorial control — a common yet fascinating behaviour among tigers. Eventually, Madhuri established dominance over prime habitat, forcing Tara to move away from her core territory in Moharli, towards the Kolara side.

Even in 2026, Tara’s bloodline remains deeply woven into Tadoba’s tiger population. A major branch of her lineage:

This connection explains why many of the dominant tigers in the Navegaon and Nimdhela landscape still carry Tara’s genetics. Likewise, several well-known tigers from Moharli and Pandharpauni — including branches linked to Bijli and Roma — have descended from her lineage.

Tara is considered a landmark figure in Tadoba’s wildlife history because:

• ✦She successfully raised several litters.
• ✦Her cubs adapted confidently to tourism and vehicle presence while remaining wild.
• ✦Many of her offspring became dominant mothers.
• ✦Her family shaped the identity of Tadoba’s tiger tourism.

Among old-time wildlifers, wildlife photographers and long-time Tadoba lovers, Tara is remembered in the same legendary league as iconic tigers like Waghdoh and Maya — not only for her sightings, but for the extraordinary legacy she left behind.